Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has secured a decisive mandate after her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) stormed to a landslide victory in the February 8 general election, in the process consolidating power in the House of Representatives and reshaping Japan’s political landscape for at least the next four years.

With most votes counted, exit polls are at time of writing reporting that the LDP is on course to win a commanding majority in the 465-seat lower house, far exceeding pre-election expectations set during a short and tightly managed campaign. Reports have already indicated that the LDP alone is on course to win between 274 and 328 seats with its coalition as a whole potentially taking up to 365 seats in all. The scale of the victory, while not wholly unexpected gives the 64-year old Takaichi a strong hand as she prepares to govern through what could be a turbulent period in the years ahead with Donald Trump in the White House, and Chinese President Xi in China making increasingly aggressive moves against Taiwan in Asia. At home, Takaichi will be looking to press ahead with an agenda focused on economic revival, defence reform of Japan’s Self-Defence forces, and a more assertive foreign policy.

The result marks a personal triumph for Japan’s first female prime minister from the conservative right, who called the snap election just weeks ago, arguing that the country needed both clarity and also resolve amid slowing global growth and regional security tensions. A fragile domestic economy also saw the LDP leader table the possibility of suspending the consumption tax on daily necessities for two years. Voters appear to have now rewarded that gamble.

Turnout was hit hard by heavy snowfall across the archipelago, however, causing some to suggest the LDP benefitted from limited voter engagement in areas that appeared to be backing the opposition coalition after years of political drift. Sources in Japan meanwhile say that balancing the lack of turnout on polling day, there was a record number of pre-election day voters in the week ahead with over 27mn choosing to vote early. The same sources have said that the LDP benefited from a largely fragmented opposition that struggled to present a credible alternative vision for the world’s fourth largest economy, or to unify around a single economic message capable of countering the ruling party.

Because of this, the main opposition parties suffered heavy losses, with several senior figures expected to lose their seats.

Economists will now debate the size of the mandate given to the LDP, and whether the numbers could embolden the prime minister to push through long-delayed structural reforms, including labour market changes and measures aimed at boosting productivity in Japan’s ageing society.

At the same time, the landslide is likely to sharpen scrutiny on Takaichi’s nationalist instincts and tough rhetoric on regional security, particularly towards China and North Korea. In the coming days statements are expected from Tokyo’s allies welcoming the political stability in Tokyo with Donald Trump expected to be one of the first to send a congratulatory message after having taken the rare move of endorsing Takaichi last week. Political rivals in the region including Beijing and Pyongyang will also be watching closely for signs of policy shifts that could raise tensions in East Asia.

For Takaichi herself, the most immediate challenge will be converting the LDP’s electoral dominance into effective governance. While her party controls the lower house comfortably, expectations are high and internal discipline will be tested as lawmakers from the LDP coalition party, the Japan Innovation Party press for influence over policy direction.

Sunday’s result nevertheless leaves little doubt about the public mood. After decades of cautious leadership and incremental change stretching back to the mid-90s, that saw Japan relinquish its post as he world’s second largest economy after the US, Japanese voters have handed Sanae Takaichi a resounding endorsement. With it she will be expected to use her new found authority to shape the country economically and socially at a pivotal moment, both at home and abroad.